Why Hotmilk Flexi-wire?

Concerns about wearing an underwire bra while nursing stems from the idea that the rigidity of the wire could inhibit blood flow and hamper milk production or lead to a clogged duct or even mastitis.

However there is no real evidence that (correctly fitted) underwire bras are linked to lactation problems. The issue is more that many women are clearly wearing the wrong sized bra.

Hotmilk has developed a range of products with a metal flexi-wire support for the following reasons:

1. Flexi-wire support holds the shape of the cup and supports rather than flattens and compresses the bust.2. Flexi-wire support is better at holding the bra against the frame of the body for increased cup and band support.

Excerpt from The Australian Breastfeeding association:"Many women prefer underwire fashion bras and are confused when told these are not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. The reason for this is, once again, your changing breast shape. When breastfeeding, the breasts can increase and decrease in size during the day, as milk is produced and removed. Retained fluid in late pregnancy can also cause the breast to swell. Although only a slight change in size is occurring, a rigid underwire may put pressure on the breast when it is fuller. Such pressure can lead to blocked milk ducts or mastitis and it is for this reason inflexible underwire brasare not recommended. However there are now nursing bras available that have a flexible metal support, similar to an underwire, designed to flex and change position with your changing shape. These are less likely to cause problems."

Excerpt from the NHS in the UK on mastitis: "It is thought that most cases of non-infectious mastitis are caused by milk stasis. Milk stasis occurs when the milk is not properly removed from your breast... Milk stasis can be caused by pressure on your breast, for example, from tight-fitting clothing, an over-restrictive bra or sleeping on your front. Milk stasis can lead to blocked milk ducts in your breasts because the breast milk is not being properly and regularly expressed (encouraged to flow out of your breasts). Experts are still unsure why breast milk can cause the breast tissue to become inflamed (red and swollen)"